Daily Devotional for Small Group Discussion: God’s Promises

Discussion Questions 

1. Before discussion, read the Pentecost story in Acts 2. Then read the devotional below, “God’s Promises.” 

2. How do you respond to the questions in the devotional: Which of God’s many promises do you long to see fulfilled this Advent? For the world? For you and your dear ones?  

3. Who do you know in specific need of God’s promises? Through your life, how might you impact their experience of what God has in store?  

4. What does it mean to live in the confidence of God’s promises even before they are fulfilled?  

Peter replied, “This promise is for you, your children, and for all who are far away—as many as the Lord our God invites.” – Acts 2:39 (CEB) 

If you know your scriptures, you may be wondering what a snippet from Pentecost is doing in the readings for Advent. Perhaps it has something to do with promises.   

God’s promises are timeless and everlasting. They are unlimited by season, geography, or generation.  

God’s promises are multitudinous. On the day the Church was born, the Apostle Peter spoke of the promise and power of the Holy Spirit. During Advent, our hearts are fixed on God’s promise of Word made flesh, the true light coming into the world. On any and every day, God promises us healing and hope, belonging and belovedness, mercy and miracles, presence and peace, liberation and love, joy and justice, grace and growth, troubles and trials. 

God’s promises are over the top. However extravagant we think they are, they are even more than all that. However welcoming we believe they are, we don’t know the half of it. What Peter said on Pentecost was truer than he knew; the promises Peter meant for Jews, God meant for everyone. In God’s promise economy, “as many as God invites” means especially the people we would rather leave out. 

God’s promises are true. We may not live to see them fulfilled, but our faithful lives can hasten their coming.  

Which of God’s many promises do you long to see fulfilled this Advent? For the world? For yourself? For your dear ones?  

Know that this promise, too, is meant for you, your dear ones, and for all people everywhere. 

Prayer
Promise-making, promise-keeping God: Fulfill my longing for you.